Khoo Kongsi

When the first immigrants
from
the Hokkien province of China
arrived in Penang, one of the
first things they set out to
do was build one of the most
magnificent clan houses in
Penang. Work began on the
clan
house in the 1890's which
resulted in what was said to
be a palace which rivalled
that of the Emperor of China.
As the story goes, this
extravagance incurred the
wrath of the Gods and on the
first night of the clan
house's completion, an
unexplainable fire broke out
and burnt the house down! It
wasn't until 1902 that the
current clan house began
construction.

One of five clan houses still
standing in Georgetown, the
Khoo Kongsi clan house takes
on a remarkable resemblance
to
a mini clan village. One of
the grandest clan houses in
Penang, the Khoo Kongsi
features tall thin columns
supporting a gently sloping,
red tiled roof, topped with
carvings of dragons,
phoenixes, mythical animals
and various scenes from
popular Chinese legends.

The clan house also has a
grand hall adorned with
resplendent and intricate
carvings and richly
ornamented
pillars which are said to
have
been crafted by master
craftsmen from China. Other
major Hokkien clan houses
that
can be found in Penang are
the
Cheah Kongsi, Yeah Kongsi,
Lim
Kongsi and Tan Kongsi.

Getting Here

By Foot or TaxiThere are two entrances to
the
Khoo Kongsi. One is on Jalan
Masjid Kapitan Kling (Lebuh
Pitt), in between Armenian
Street and Lebuh Aceh. The
second entrance is on Lebuh
Pantai, also in between
Armenian Street and Lebuh
Aceh.